Imagine you’re a lender, and a wellness entrepreneur comes to you to borrow thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The loan seeker is the picture of health, drives a Tesla S, and lives in a solar-powered manse. But what if the would-be borrower is overextended, and not in a yoga-like way?
You’re going to want to compare their current income to their debts to help gauge how likely you are to be paid back.
Makes sense, right? A debt-to-income ratio helps to determine whether someone qualifies for a loan, credit card, or line of credit and at what interest rate.
A low DTI ratio demonstrates that there is probably sufficient income to pay debts and take on more. But what’s “low” or “good” in most lenders’ eyes?
First, a Debt to Income Ratio Refresher
In case you don’t know how to calculate the percentage or have forgotten, here’s how it works:
DTI = monthly debts / gross monthly income
Let’s say monthly debt payments are as follows:
• Auto loan: $400
• Student loans: $300
• Credit cards: $300
• Mortgage payment: $1,300
That’s $2,300 in monthly obligations. Now let’s say gross monthly income is $7,000.
$2,300 / $7,000 = 0.328
Multiply the result by 100 for a DTI ratio of nearly 33%, meaning 33% of this person’s gross monthly income goes toward debt repayment.
What Is Considered a Good DTI?
The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises homeowners to consider maintaining a DTI ratio of 36% or less and for renters to consider keeping a DTI ratio of 15% to 20% or less (rent is not included in this ratio).
In general, mortgage lenders like to see a DTI ratio of no more than 36%, though that is not necessarily the maximum.
For instance, DTI limits can change based on whether or not you are considering a qualified or nonqualified mortgage. A qualified mortgage is a home loan with more stable features and without risky features like interest-only payments. Qualified mortgages limit how high your DTI ratio can be.
A nonqualified mortgage loan is not inherently high-risk or subprime. It is simply a loan that doesn’t fit into the complex rules associated with a qualified mortgage.
Nonqualified mortgages can be helpful for borrowers in unusual circumstances, such as having been self-employed for less than two years. A lender may make an exception if you have a high DTI ratio as long as, for example, you have a lot of cash reserves.
In general, borrowers looking for a qualified mortgage can expect lenders to require a DTI of 43% or less.
Under certain criteria, a maximum allowable DTI ratio can be as high as 50%. Fannie Mae’s maximum DTI ratio is 36% for manually underwritten loans, but the affordable-lending promoter will allow a 45% DTI ratio if a borrower meets credit score and reserve requirements, and up to 50% for loans issued through automated underwriting.
In the market for a personal loan? Some lenders may allow a high DTI ratio because a common use of personal loans is credit card debt consolidation. But most lenders will want to be sure that you are gainfully employed and have sufficient income to repay the loan.
Front End vs Back End
Some mortgage lenders like to break a number into front-end and back-end DTI (28/36, for instance). The top number represents the front-end ratio, and the bottom number is the back-end ratio.
A front-end ratio, also known as the housing ratio, takes into account housing costs or potential housing costs.
A back-end ratio is more comprehensive. It includes all current recurring debt payments and housing expenses.
Lenders typically look for a front-end ratio of 28% tops, and a back-end ratio no higher than 36%, though they may accept higher ratios if a credit score, savings, and down payment are robust.
How Can I Lower My Debt-to-Income Ratio?
So what do you do if the number you’ve calculated isn’t your ideal? There are two ways to lower your DTI ratio: Increase your income or decrease your debt.
Working overtime, starting a side hustle, getting a new job, or asking for a raise are all good options to boost income.
Strangely enough, if you choose to tackle your debt by only increasing your payments each month, it can have a negative effect on your DTI ratio. Instead, it can be a good idea to consider ways to reduce your outstanding debt altogether.
The best-known debt management plans are likely the snowball and avalanche methods, but there’s also the fireball method, which combines both strategies.
Instead of canceling a credit card, it might be better to cut it up or hide it. In the world of credit, established credit in good standing is looked upon more favorably than new.
The Takeaway
Your debt-to-income ratio matters because it affects your ability to borrow money and the interest rate for doing so. In general, lenders look at a lower DTI ratio as favorable, but sometimes there’s wiggle room.
If you’re struggling with student loan debt, refinancing might be a good option if you can lower your interest rate. And if you’re trying to pay off high-interest credit card debt, one method is to consolidate the debt with a fixed-rate personal loan. This can lower your monthly payment, thus changing your DTI ratio.
Check your rate on SoFi’s student loan refinancing and personal loans.
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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
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SoFi Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). SoFi Student Loan Refinance Loans are private loans and do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers, or may become available, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, PAYE or SAVE. Additional terms and conditions apply. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal.
Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Investing money in an individual retirement account (IRA) can be an important part of saving for retirement. Among the types of IRAs you may have are Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. With a Traditional IRA, you can often deduct your contributions in the year you make them and pay tax on your withdrawals. A Roth IRA works in the opposite way — contributions are generally not tax-deductible and your earnings and withdrawals can be tax-free.
Because of the way that withdrawals from IRAs can be tax-free, it’s important to be aware of your IRA basis. When you withdraw money from a Traditional or Roth IRA, you may only need to pay tax on withdrawals that exceed your basis.
What Is a Roth IRA Basis?
The total amount that you’ve contributed to your Roth IRA over the years is considered your Roth IRA basis. Because Roth IRA contributions are not deductible in the year that you contribute them, you can withdraw your contributions at any time without tax or penalty.
Is a Roth IRA Basis Different From a Traditional IRA Basis?
Calculating your Traditional IRA basis is a bit different than calculating your Roth IRA basis. Understanding these differences in large part comes down to understanding what an IRA is and how various types of IRAs work.
When calculating your Roth IRA basis, you add up all of the contributions you make. This is because no Roth IRA contributions are tax-deductible.
With a Traditional IRA, on the other hand, some contributions are deductible in the year that you make them. So your Traditional IRA basis only includes contributions that were not tax-deductible in the year that you made them.
What Are the Rules of a Roth IRA Basis?
Contributing to a Roth IRA can be a great way to invest and save for retirement, because your earnings and withdrawals are tax-free, as long as you make qualified distributions. Your Roth IRA basis is easy to calculate, since it’s the net total of any contributions that you make, minus any distributions.
What Are the Rules of a Traditional IRA Basis?
If you open a Traditional IRA, you’ll want to make sure that you’re familiar with the rules of a Traditional IRA basis. Your basis in a Traditional IRA is the total of all of any non-deductible contributions you made, as well as any non-taxable amounts included in rollovers, minus all of your non-taxable distributions.
How Is IRA Basis Calculated?
When you start saving for retirement, you’ll want to make sure that you are accurately calculating your IRA basis. The exact formula for calculating your IRA basis varies slightly based on whether you have a Traditional or Roth IRA.
Contributions to a Roth IRA are never tax-deductible. That means that you will use the sum of all of your contributions to calculate your Roth IRA basis.
Traditional IRA Basis Formula
Calculating your Traditional IRA basis works in a slightly different fashion. Because many contributions to Traditional IRAs are tax-deductible in the year you make them, you don’t include all of your contributions when calculating your basis. Instead, you will only use the contributions that are NOT tax-deductible when calculating your Traditional IRA basis. If all of your Traditional IRA contributions are tax-deductible, then your basis will be $0.
Why Is Knowing Your IRA Basis Important?
Not knowing your IRA basis is a retirement mistake you can easily avoid. You want to know what your IRA basis is, because it represents the amount of money that you can withdraw from your IRA without tax or penalty.
Generally, any withdrawals up to your tax basis are tax and penalty-free, while withdrawals above your tax basis may be subject to income tax and/or a 10% penalty. While it is usually not a good idea to withdraw money from your retirement accounts, knowing your basis can help you make an informed decision.
Understanding your IRA basis is an important part of investing and planning for your retirement. At its simplest, you can calculate your IRA basis by adding up all of your non-tax-deductible contributions and subtracting any previous distributions. For your Roth IRA basis, you can use all of your contributions, while for Traditional IRAs you can only use the value of any contributions that you did not deduct from your taxes. Your IRA basis is the amount that you can typically withdraw from your account without having to pay income tax and/or a penalty.
Opening an IRA online with SoFi can be a great way to start saving for retirement. Starting a Traditional IRA may allow you to lower your taxable income this year, while contributing to a Roth IRA your retirement by allowing your retirement contributions to grow tax-free. It can be a smart financial decision to use one of these accounts to make sure you have enough money put aside for your retirement.
Help grow your nest egg with a SoFi IRA.
FAQ
Do I have an IRA basis?
Everyone with an IRA has an IRA basis, although it’s possible that your IRA basis is $0. Your IRA basis is the net total of your non-tax-deductible contributions minus any distributions. For a Roth IRA, you use the value of all your contributions, while with a Traditional IRA, it’s only the contributions that were not tax-deductible.
How do I find my IRA basis?
Your IRA basis is the sum of any non-tax-deductible contributions that you make to an IRA minus any distributions that you take from your account. Your IRA basis is not generally reported anywhere. So if you don’t know your basis, you will need to calculate it based on your historical contributions and distribution amounts.
Who keeps track of your IRA basis?
The IRS does not generally keep track of your IRA basis — you are responsible for making sure your IRA basis is accurately calculated. If you use an accountant, they may calculate and track your IRA basis. You’ll want to make sure that you are accurately tracking your basis so that you can correctly pay any taxes you owe on IRA distributions.
Photo credit: iStock/Eva-Katalin
SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below:
Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.
The simplest options strategies, and safest for beginners, include purchasing calls and/or puts — typically called “going long.” For the bearish investor who believes an asset will see price declines over a well-defined period of time, the simplest strategy is to purchase puts on those assets, i.e., pursue a long put strategy.
What Is a Long Put?
The term “Long Put” describes the strategy of buying put options as well as the options contract itself. The investor who purchases a put has purchased the right to sell an underlying security at a specific price over a specific time period. Being the buyer and holder of any options makes you “long” that option contract.
Because the contract in question is a put, the investor is long the put and bullish on the put option as they expect the put options price to rise. The put option holder is bearish on the underlying asset as they expect its price of the asset to go down.
Since the investor has not sold the underlying asset or its options, the investor does not hold a short position.
In comparison to other options strategies, long puts are low risk due to their limited and well-defined downside. The maximum amount an investor can lose is the premium paid at the initiation of the transaction.
Maximum Loss = Premium Paid
Because different trading platforms have different commission structures, (some may even provide commission-free trading) commissions are typically omitted from profit and loss calculations.
Maximum Profit
The maximum gain for a long put strategy occurs when the underlying asset drops to zero. While this gain is also limited and defined, it is typically far greater than the potential downside. The maximum gain on a long put strategy is defined as the strike price of the put less the premium paid.
Maximum Profit = Strike Price – Premium Paid
Breakeven Price
The breakeven price on a long put strategy occurs at the strike price less the premium. Note that the formula for the maximum gain and the breakeven price is the same but the two formulas are measuring different things.
The breakeven price is the point at which the investor begins to make a profit. As the price drops past breakeven toward zero, hopefully, the investor can realize the maximum gain possible.
Breakeven Price = Strike Price – Premium Paid
Why Investors Use Long Puts
Investors utilize a long put strategy for three main reasons:
• Speculation: The investor identifies an asset they believe will decrease in price over a defined time period. Buying a long put allows the investor to profit from this forecasted price decrease if it happens.
• Hedging: Sometimes an investor already holds an asset like a stock or exchange-traded fund (ETF) and is concerned that the price of the asset may drop in the short term, but still wants to hold the asset for the long term.
By purchasing a long put, the investor can offset any short-term losses through gains on the put and keep control of the underlying asset. For most assets, this hedging strategy provides cheap insurance.
• Combination strategies: For experienced investors, long puts can be part of complicated multi-leg strategies involving the sale or purchase of other options, both calls and puts, to pursue different investment objectives.
Long Put vs Short Put
In contrast, a short put options strategy occurs when the investor sells a put. Being the seller of a put means the options contract seller is obligated by the options contract to sell shares in an underlying security to the option buyer at the buyer’s discretion.
Everything about short puts is the opposite to long puts:
Long Puts
Short Puts
Investor role
Buyer
Seller
Investor responsibility
Right/Discretion
Obligation
Investor outlook — Asset
Bearish
Neutral to Bullish
Risk
Premium
(Strike Price – Premium)
Reward
(Strike Price – Premium)
Premium
Long Put Option Example
An investor has been watching XYZ stock, which is trading at $100 per share. The investor believes the $100 share price for XYZ is excessive and believes the share price will fall over the next 30 days.
The investor purchases a long put with a strike price of $95 per share for a premium of $5 and an expiration date of 60 days from today. Because options contracts are sold based on 100 share lots, the price for this contract will be $5 x 100 = $500.
The options contract gives the investor the right to sell 100 shares of XYZ at $95 for the next 60 days.
The breakeven price on this investment is:
Breakeven Price = Strike Price – Premium Paid
Breakeven Price = $95 – $5 = $90
Should XYZ be trading below $90 at expiration, the option trade will be profitable.
If XYZ stock should fall to $0 at expiration, the investor will realize their maximum possible profit:
Maximum Profit = Strike Price – Premium Paid
Maximum Profit = $95 – $5 = $90 profit per share or $9,000 per put option
However, if XYZ stock should stay above $90 at expiration, the investor will realize their maximum possible loss and the option will expire worthless:
Maximum Loss = Premium Paid
Maximum Loss = $5 per share or $500 per put option
Even if XYZ rose above the $100 price at purchase, the investor’s loss would still be limited to $500.
The Takeaway
Long put options provide an excellent entry point for newly minted options investors to dip their toes into the market. The trading strategy offers significant profit potential if investors make the right call on the underlying security’s future performance while providing limited downside risk.
And if you have any questions, SoFi offers educational resources about options to learn more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, and members have access to complimentary financial advice from a professional.
With SoFi, user-friendly options trading is finally here.
Photo credit: iStock/Paul Bradbury
SoFi Invest®
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED • ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED • MAY LOSE VALUE
SoFi Invest encompasses two distinct companies, with various products and services offered to investors as described below:
Individual customer accounts may be subject to the terms applicable to one or more of these platforms.
1) Automated Investing and advisory services are provided by SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser (“SoFi Wealth“). Brokerage services are provided to SoFi Wealth LLC by SoFi Securities LLC.
2) Active Investing and brokerage services are provided by SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA (www.finra.org)/SIPC(www.sipc.org). Clearing and custody of all securities are provided by APEX Clearing Corporation.
For additional disclosures related to the SoFi Invest platforms described above please visit SoFi.com/legal.
Neither the Investment Advisor Representatives of SoFi Wealth, nor the Registered Representatives of SoFi Securities are compensated for the sale of any product or service sold through any SoFi Invest platform.
Options involve risks, including substantial risk of loss and the possibility an investor may lose the entire amount invested in a short period of time. Before an investor begins trading options they should familiarize themselves with the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options . Tax considerations with options transactions are unique, investors should consult with their tax advisor to understand the impact to their taxes. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): Investors should carefully consider the information contained in the prospectus, which contains the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other relevant information. You may obtain a prospectus from the Fund company’s website or by email customer service at https://sofi.app.link/investchat. Please read the prospectus carefully prior to investing.
Shares of ETFs must be bought and sold at market price, which can vary significantly from the Fund’s net asset value (NAV). Investment returns are subject to market volatility and shares may be worth more or less their original value when redeemed. The diversification of an ETF will not protect against loss. An ETF may not achieve its stated investment objective. Rebalancing and other activities within the fund may be subject to tax consequences.
SOIN223451
Losing track of money might seem hard to imagine, but it’s actually not uncommon to forget about an old bank account or other source of money that is rightfully yours.
It could be an account you opened a long time ago that, after one or two moves, became both out of sight and out of mind. Or, it might be lost paycheck, an old 401(k), or an unclaimed pension.
In fact, roughly 1 in 10 people have unclaimed assets waiting for them, according to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) . They report that billions of dollars in unclaimed property are currently being held by state governments and treasuries within the U.S.
If you’ve lost track of money that belongs to you, however, there’s no reason to panic, or consider the money gone for good. There are a number of ways to locate lost assets from a bank or other type of financial account, and most of them are completely free. It might take a bit of (virtual) leg work, but finding the unclaimed money due to you can be worth the effort.
How to Find an Old Bank Account
If you’ve accessed the account within the past year, you might be able to recover the account directly from the bank. Exactly how to recover a lost bank account will vary based on the financial institution. Your account information can be found on checks and often on old account statements.
If it’s been longer than a year, you might have to dig a little deeper to recover a lost bank account.
When a bank or other business loses contact with an account holder, they are legally required to turn any assets over to the state, typically after two to three years of inactivity or returned mail.
That’s why a good place to start a quest for older unclaimed property is often through your state’s unclaimed property office. The unclaimed funds held by the state are typically from bank accounts, insurance policies, or your state government.
When you click on a state, you will be directed to its official website. To search for your unclaimed money, you may want to use both your current and maiden name (if you legally changed your last name).
Another good resource for tracking down unclaimed money is MissingMoney.com . This is a multi-state directory operated by the NAUPA that allows you to search by name for missing or unclaimed money.
If you belonged to a credit union in the past, it may be worth checking the unclaimed deposits listing run by the National Credit Union Administration.
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Other Sources of Unclaimed Money
Unclaimed money isn’t limited to forgotten bank accounts.
There are a variety of reasons you could be missing money due to you — perhaps you switched jobs and lost track of a 401(k) or pension plan. Or, maybe you forgot to update your address and missed a payment or tax refund.
If you previously worked for a company that offered a pension plan, you can search the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s unclaimed pension database.
For lost or missing retirement plan funds, you could check the National Registry of Unclaimed Retirement Benefits, which is operated by PenChecks Trust, one of the largest providers of retirement plan distribution services.
USA.gov helps you search for assets due from employers, insurance companies, and the government (including tax refunds).
If you find unclaimed assets in your name, the next step is to fill out a form or make an online request to make your claim.
Each state will typically have its own rules and regulations for how individuals should go about proving ownership of the unclaimed money held by the government. Generally, states will require substantial evidence that the money rightfully belongs to you.
Claims typically require showing proof of identity (such as information from a driver’s license or passport), any former residential addresses, and documentation showing your right to ownership of the assets.
If the owner is deceased and you inherited the assets, additional documents are typically required. This may include a death certificate, as well as a probate court order.
As you’re searching for lost bank accounts, you may find businesses that offer to find unclaimed money, generally for a fee. Sometimes known as “finders,” these are companies that are looking to earn money by reuniting people with their lost assets.
While it’s fine to pay someone to help you get lost money returned to you, you may want to keep in mind that you can complete a search and submit a claim for free by yourself.
It’s also a good idea to keep your eyes open to potential fraud. Unsolicited emails or letters offering to return unclaimed property to you for a fee, for example, are often scams.
You may also want to be wary of an organization or individual who claims to be a part of the government and offers to send you unclaimed money for a fee, as these are likely to be scams. Government agencies will not contact individuals about unclaimed money, nor will they charge a fee.
If somebody contacts you regarding missing money, it’s a smart idea to do some research on the business before handing over any personal information, and also to avoid paying any money up front.
The Takeaway
Many people have unclaimed money floating around somewhere.
Often this money comes from funds found in banks, financial institutions, or companies that haven’t been in contact with the owner for over a year and, as a result, the funds have been turned over to the state.
A good place to start looking for unclaimed assets is NAUPA’s database of records from all 50 states. From there, you can find links to each state’s official unclaimed property program.
What to do if you come into some unexpected money? Whether your windfall is large or small, you may want to consider putting it into a checking and savings account like SoFi Checking and Savings. With SoFi, you can earn a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), save, and spend, all in one place. And SoFi Checking and Savings doesn’t have any account fees which could eat away at your newfound cash.
Better banking is here with SoFi, NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Checking Account Overall.* Enjoy up to 4.00% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.
Renters insurance protects your possessions if they’re stolen or damaged while you’re renting. In addition to burglaries and vandalism, renters insurance protects you against unfortunate events, such as electrical surges, floods, and fires.
While many tenants assume they have ample coverage under their landlord’s property insurance, this is actually not typically true. Without renters insurance, you could take a major financial hit in the event of a burglary or fire by having to pay out of pocket for everything you own that is lost or ruined.
Renters insurance also offers other financial protections, such as covering personal injuries to others and temporary accommodation if you ever need to move out due to home damage.
Whether you rent an apartment, condo, or house, here’s what you need to know about renters insurance.
Renters insurance protects against losses to your personal property (think furniture, clothing, luggage, jewelry, electronics), or items that aren’t built into the property unit.
Even if you don’t own much, it may add up to more than you realize.
Liability
In the event that someone other than you is injured on your rental property, renters insurance can cover expenses related to personal injuries, such as medical bills and legal expenses should that person sue you.
Most policies provide at least $100,000 of liability coverage, along with a smaller amount to cover medical payments. You can purchase higher coverage limits for a fee.
Temporary Living Expense
If your home becomes uninhabitable as a result of one of the covered perils, your renters insurance policy may reimburse you for the cost of any extra living expenses that occur while you’re unable to reside in the rental property, such as hotels or meals out.
Your Belongings When You Travel
Your personal belongings are not only covered when you’re at home, but also when you are away from home. Your possessions are typically covered from loss due to theft and other covered losses wherever you may travel.
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What Catastrophes Does Renters Insurance Cover?
Renters policies protect against a long list of unfortunate events. While each policy’s level of coverage will vary, a standard rental policy may cover losses to property from perils including:
• Fire
• Smoke
• Theft
• Vandalism or malicious mischief
• Lightning
• Windstorms
• Explosions
• Water from internal sources (such as plumbing leaks)
• Windstorm or hail
• Falling objects
Typically, renters insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by earthquakes or floods from external sources. You may need to purchase a separate policy or rider to get coverage for these events. A separate rider might also be necessary to cover wind damage in areas that are prone to hurricanes.
Rental policies also do not typically cover losses due to your own negligence or intentional acts.
One of the main benefits of renting versus owning is that there is less responsibility involved. If there is a leak in the kitchen or a noisy neighbor causing problems, in theory, the landlord should handle those issues.
When renting, it’s easy to fall under the impression that your landlord will handle everything that goes wrong. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Your landlord’s property insurance policy covers losses to the building itself, whether it’s an apartment, a house, or a duplex.
Renters insurance provides financial protection for many of the things that landlords aren’t insured for, or would likely be willing to cover out of their own pocket.
Is Renters Insurance Mandatory?
In some cases, yes. While renters insurance isn’t a requirement by law, landlords are legally allowed to require it in their rental agreements. Basically, if a landlord says a tenant needs it, they have to get it. If the landlord doesn’t require it in the lease agreement, the choice is up to the renter.
If a landlord requires renters insurance, it’s probably because they are looking after their own best interests. If a tenant has renters insurance, the landlord will be less likely to get hit with a lawsuit regarding injury or theft.
Even in cases where a landlord doesn’t require renters insurance, they may still favor applicants who have it over those who don’t. So if you’re looking to rent a home in a competitive area, having renters insurance may help you stand out amongst a sea of applicants.
Renters Insurance Policy Options
Exactly what renters insurance covers depends on the policy type. There are two main types of renters insurance policies that renters will likely come across:
• Actual Cash Value. This type of policy pays to replace possessions minus an amount for depreciation up to the limit of the policy. In other words, they reduce the value of the possession based on its age and use.
• Replacement Cost. This policy pays for the actual cost of replacing the possessions, and doesn’t deduct for depreciation, up to the limit of the policy. Generally, a Replacement Cost policy costs around 10% more than an Actual Cash Value coverage policy, but this higher cost may be worthwhile.
How Much Does Renters Insurance Cost?
The price will depend on what type of policy you choose, how much coverage you need, and what state you live in. The average cost of renters insurance in the U.S. is $179 per year, or roughly $15 per month.
To determine how much coverage is necessary, it helps to know the value of all your personal possessions.
Let’s say the worst happens and the rental property burns down to the ground. How much would all of the furniture, electronics, art, jewelry, clothing, appliances, and everyday items like towels cost to replace? Ideally, the policy will be enough to replace all possessions.
Creating a home inventory of all of your personal possessions and their estimated value can help determine this number. Keeping this inventory up-to-date can make it easier and faster to file an insurance claim down the road.
How to Buy Renters Insurance
If you decide you want to purchase renters insurance, here are some ways to get started.
Comparison Shopping
Renters insurance policy prices can vary greatly depending on the provider, so it can be worthwhile to shop around. It’s a good idea to get at least three price quotes, but the more the merrier.
You can call the company directly or submit an online form if available to get a quote, and then compare the different offers to see which one provides the best coverage for the best price.
You may want to get quotes from different types of insurance companies, including those that sell policies through their own agents, and those that sell directly to the consumer without using agents.
You can also consult independent agents who offer policies from multiple insurance companies.
Looking Past Price
While getting the best deal possible sounds great, price shouldn’t be a renter’s only concern. An insurance provider’s customer service, claim process, and customer reviews are all important factors to take into account.
Asking for Referrals
Alongside looking at customer reviews, you may also want to ask friends or relatives for their recommendations. This is especially helpful if they have dealt with processing a renters insurance claim before.
The Takeaway
Renters insurance can provide coverage for your personal belongings, whether they are in your home, your car, or while you are on vacation. In addition, renters insurance can provide liability coverage in case someone is injured in your home or if you accidentally cause injury to someone.
To determine if buying renters insurance is worth it for you, you may want to consider whether it would be financially devastating for you to have to replace all, or even some, of your personal possessions if they were stolen or damaged. If the answer is yes, then a renters insurance policy may be a wise investment.
Renters insurance can also provide peace of mind, which some renters may feel is worth the cost.
If you decide to purchase a policy, you’ll want to understand what the policy covers, and also ask the company or agent about available discounts, deductibles, and coverage limits.
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SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
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